Can't believe a thread doesn't exist already, so if I've just missed it please feel free to merge.
Picked up this morning. Lovely. All stories bar one hit the target for me, with Dredd and Ace Trucking taking the top spot equally. So nice to see Ace and crew back, and this was a fitting continuation or pastiche or whatever it was. Nick Dyer's art does not pale in comparison to the Great Bellardinelli- of which he should be very, very proud. I'd be very happy to see this strip back on regular basis.
Dredd felt very old school, especially the final panel gag, and again I would like to see More of This Type of Thing.
Future Shock was brave in its central conceit, and didn't outstay its welcome. I'd be lying if I didn't say it was John Higgins's art that thrilled me most though.
Robot-Hunter actually made sense and was fun! Hooray for Alec Worley!
Survival Geeks is not for me. Would have preferred old-style quizzes, crosswords, droid profiles or a poster, frankly. Or a classic reprint. Or perhaps Bonjo?
Cover was magnificent.
8 ejaculations of excitement out of ten!
SBT
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 24 June, 2015, 11:47:52 AM
8 ejaculations of excitement out of ten!
SBT
:lol: Yes, truly entertaining Summer Spesh (as I always call it, for ....reasons.) I knew Ace was on the cover, but didn't actually realise the strip was in there. Superb stuff! I had a genuine thrill at seeing the strip back, and pulled off so well. (pulled off.....ejaculations....someone care to rescue this thread from such depravity?) ;)
I did a preview on Monday but assumed no one here would really want to see it...
Spent my lunch time trying the local News Agents and ASDA but no luck :(
Will try the bigger ASDA on the way home, if not, will have to try and hit a local comic shop at the weekend.
On the iPad app the cover is visible to taunt us, but it's marked as not available. Grrr.
Quote from: Bat King on 24 June, 2015, 12:24:50 PM
I did a preview on Monday but assumed no one here would really want to see it...
I saw the preview! Didn't want to read any of the stories, though the Belardinelli tribute, art-wise was much appreciated.
Is it usual for specials to come out on a Tuesday? Just when you get used to Wednesdays being Thrill-day...
Quote from: Timothyjacobs on 24 June, 2015, 01:55:45 PM
On the iPad app the cover is visible to taunt us, but it's marked as not available. Grrr.
Glad it's not just me then.
Tharg tempting us with goods we can't buy yet
As far as I know it should be available EVERYWHERE digitally today....
And no, sheridan, Wednesday is the correct release day for this. If any shops displayed it yesterday... Well I guess they were naughty.
Quote from: Bat King on 24 June, 2015, 02:23:31 PM
As far as I know it should be available EVERYWHERE digitally today....
And no, sheridan, Wednesday is the correct release day for this. If any shops displayed it yesterday... Well I guess they were naughty.
Thanks - I'd got used to the weekend digital release (or is that just the digital preview to reviewers such as your good self) and the Wednesday physical release, so I'd been confused that a number of different blogs had said it was released yesterday. Unfortunately I'm doing work-stuff tonight so can't get to the comic shop until tomorrow at the least :-(
Due to circumstances beyond our control (thanks a lot, Apple!) the Sci-Fi Special won't be available to purchase on the 2000 AD Newsstand app.
HOWEVER!
You CAN still get it on the app by logging in to the 2000 AD webshop with your Rebellion ID (the one linked to your app) and purchasing it there, then downloading it onto your app. Fiddly, but it'll do the job.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Quote from: Molch-R on 24 June, 2015, 02:32:54 PM
Due to circumstances beyond our control (thanks a lot, Apple!)
You want to get on to that Taylor Swift — she'll sort it all out for you.
Cheers
Jim
Quote from: Molch-R on 24 June, 2015, 02:32:54 PM
Due to circumstances beyond our control (thanks a lot, Apple!) the Sci-Fi Special won't be available to purchase on the 2000 AD Newsstand app.
HOWEVER!
You CAN still get it on the app by logging in to the 2000 AD webshop with your Rebellion ID (the one linked to your app) and purchasing it there, then downloading it onto your app. Fiddly, but it'll do the job.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
How do I go about getting a Rebellion ID that links to the app?
Quote from: Timothyjacobs on 24 June, 2015, 02:50:22 PM
How do I go about getting a Rebellion ID that links to the app?
Do you use different log-ins for both?
Quote from: Molch-R on 24 June, 2015, 02:32:54 PM
Due to circumstances beyond our control (thanks a lot, Apple!) the Sci-Fi Special won't be available to purchase on the 2000 AD Newsstand app.
HOWEVER!
You CAN still get it on the app by logging in to the 2000 AD webshop with your Rebellion ID (the one linked to your app) and purchasing it there, then downloading it onto your app. Fiddly, but it'll do the job.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Just done that and it works.
A Swift way to get the special Taylored to our needs.
She does good work
Quote from: Molch-R on 24 June, 2015, 02:53:48 PM
Quote from: Timothyjacobs on 24 June, 2015, 02:50:22 PM
How do I go about getting a Rebellion ID that links to the app?
Do you use different log-ins for both?
I've not set up a Rebellion ID and don't want to get it wrong and end up with a redundant account. Will it link automatically if I use the same email address.
Quote from: Timothyjacobs on 24 June, 2015, 02:58:08 PM
I've not set up a Rebellion ID and don't want to get it wrong and end up with a redundant account. Will it link automatically if I use the same email address.
If you don't have a Rebellion ID but you use the app, these instructions should work:
Open the app
Go to 'My accounts'
Tap on 'Log In with Rebellion ID'
If you don't have a Rebellion ID, tap on 'create account'
Register using whichever email you use on the app to make purchases etc.
Once that account has been created you should be able to log in to the webshop with it and sync purchases between your desktop and mobile device.
Just got this today, the old fashioned way, in a shop.
Only read half of it so far but did so with a big grin on my face. I agree with SBT when he says the Dredd feels old school, and that's a good thing in a Sci-Fi Special. The art is lovely too.
Not being the biggest fan of Robo Hunter in any of it's incarnations, I was pleasantly surprised to find this one-off raising a few smiles. Again, really good artwork.
I did enjoy the Ace Trucking Co. story and laughed in all the right places. Nice gag about getting too close to a star from Feek. Nick Dyer is one of my favourite artists and is a perfect fit for this strip, however I found Ace's lack of pupils a bit distracting. What's happened to his eyes?
Looking forward to reading the rest on the train home from work.
I think it's more he has white pupils, which he had when the strip started, before they changed to 'normal' eyes.
Quote from: Molch-R on 24 June, 2015, 03:07:56 PM
Quote from: Timothyjacobs on 24 June, 2015, 02:58:08 PM
I've not set up a Rebellion ID and don't want to get it wrong and end up with a redundant account. Will it link automatically if I use the same email address.
If you don't have a Rebellion ID but you use the app, these instructions should work:
Open the app
Go to 'My accounts'
Tap on 'Log In with Rebellion ID'
If you don't have a Rebellion ID, tap on 'create account'
Register using whichever email you use on the app to make purchases etc.
Once that account has been created you should be able to log in to the webshop with it and sync purchases between your desktop and mobile device.
That worked. Thanks.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 24 June, 2015, 02:40:11 PM
Quote from: Molch-R on 24 June, 2015, 02:32:54 PM
Due to circumstances beyond our control (thanks a lot, Apple!)
You want to get on to that Taylor Swift — she'll sort it all out for you.
Cheers
Jim
Vote Swifty, you know it mocks sense!
(a t-shirt opportunity missed this may, methinks.)
Tried several places on my way home too and there was no copy to be seen. Will have to pop into WHSmiths at the weekend if possible.
I ordered it from 2000 AD direct and received it on Saturday.
Didn't want to post up due to not wanting to spoil it for anyone.
Suffice to say I loved it lots.
Finished reading it yesterday and really enjoyed every strip.
Years of squinting suspiciously at Future Shocks enabled me to rumble the twist in the very first panel, but I enjoyed spotting all the subtle ways that the script and art tried to trick me.
I'm very much in the "love it" camp where Survival Geeks is concerned. It's not often that a humour strip actually makes me laugh, but this one consistently does. Really funny one-off with future repercusions for the strip.
Another brilliantly executed one-off for Rogue Trooper with absolutely stunning artwork. Reading this makes me want to see Rogue back in the prog.
All in all, the best of the resurrected specials so far, and long may they continue.
I couldn't help but wonder if, on the back of the success of these specials, the droids could be persuaded to give the old hardback annual another try. I can dream.
Quote from: Spaceghost on 25 June, 2015, 10:36:33 AM
I couldn't help but wonder if, on the back of the success of these specials, the droids could be persuaded to give the old hardback annual another try. I can dream.
It'd be a dream come true for a lot of us I'm sure.
Quote from: Spaceghost on 25 June, 2015, 10:36:33 AM
I couldn't help but wonder if, on the back of the success of these specials, the droids could be persuaded to give the old hardback annual another try. I can dream.
We'd love that too but as it stands resurrecting the annuals is just not feasable, I'm afraid.
Quote from: Molch-R on 25 June, 2015, 10:58:18 AM
Quote from: Spaceghost on 25 June, 2015, 10:36:33 AM
I couldn't help but wonder if, on the back of the success of these specials, the droids could be persuaded to give the old hardback annual another try. I can dream.
We'd love that too but as it stands resurrecting the annuals is just not feasable, I'm afraid.
I thought as much. At least we have these brilliant specials back. Hope there's another Winter special planned too.
Hardback Annual at £15 to £20 would go on my Christmas Present list & I am certain I wild be unwrapping it on Christmas Day.
Many others of us would also buy it. However would sales be high enough to deliver at that price... I would love it. Six new stories, a Classic reprint or two, a word search or crossword, a couple of articles, pinups and a cutaway of vehicles or equipment.
Bliss!
I think the annuals have had their day tbh. They were fun when I was a kid, but would I want one now?
Quite happy with the end of year prog and now the Summer and Winter specials as well!
The end of year prog has filled the void that used to be occupied by a hardbacked annual...these days I would be upset that I have a nice year long run of the prog, all of which fit nicely into A4 wallets and a ring binder to keep neatly organised...and then comes along what is essentially a hardback version of the end of year prog, with some extra fluff, to ruin my nice organised collection... >:(
Sure I'd buy it...wouldn't have any choice there...but I wouldn't be happy about it :lol:
I think the end of year progs do a much more consistently high quality job than the annuals ever did.
It's only really the colour stories that are notable because they were different to what was running in the prog.
The rest was a lot of reprint and filler for the most part.
Quote from: Steve Green on 25 June, 2015, 02:38:06 PM
I think the end of year progs do a much more consistently high quality job than the annuals ever did.
This. Can't really see what would be in an annual that isn't in the YE Prog. Even a quiz last year!
I was amazed to see this yesterday in my local Costcutter - or is it called Nisa now, can't remember.. Anyway I immediately snapped up one of the two copies.
How could you not, with that amazing cover! Love the old style Tharg on the cover of the boy's comic.
All in all a great special. Great old-school Dredd, that film director was pushing her luck with Dredd I thought.. and the welcome return of Ace Trucking. Robo-Hunter also worked well and had some good laughs.
Beautiful Higgins art - let's have him back in the prog doing some Dredd if possible.
I'd certainly buy a hardback annual. Surprised it can't be done, given the number of other books released, bookplate editions, apex editions, hardback anniversary editions etc..
Quote from: The Cosh on 25 June, 2015, 03:06:29 PM
Quote from: Steve Green on 25 June, 2015, 02:38:06 PM
I think the end of year progs do a much more consistently high quality job than the annuals ever did.
This. Can't really see what would be in an annual that isn't in the YE Prog. Even a quiz last year!
No argument about the year-end Prog, it's consistently excellent.
I want
both!
Quote from: Geoff on 25 June, 2015, 03:32:18 PM
I was amazed to see this yesterday in my local Costcutter - or is it called Nisa now, can't remember.. Anyway I immediately snapped up one of the two copies.
How could you not, with that amazing cover! Love the old style Tharg on the cover of the boy's comic.
All in all a great special. Great old-school Dredd, that film director was pushing her luck with Dredd I thought.. and the welcome return of Ace Trucking. Robo-Hunter also worked well and had some good laughs.
Beautiful Higgins art - let's have him back in the prog doing some Dredd if possible.
I'd certainly buy a hardback annual. Surprised it can't be done, given the number of other books released, bookplate editions, apex editions, hardback anniversary editions etc..
All the ones you mention
a) are reprints so don't have as much upfront costs of commissioning new material
b) by their nature, annuals are for that year - I can't see stores being that wowed about stocking something tied to a specific publishing date.
c) whatever Rebellion have decided regards viability is good enough for me. (Could have started with that, really)
Never in love with the old annuals. Except for some lovely covers they seemed like a very expensive way of buying a minimal amount of thrill. Just glue some heavy pieces of cardboard to the SciFi Special and give me an extra tenner!
I'll pitch in with the idea of the briefly lived Yearbooks. They were beautiful objects, a shame that the content only rarely lived up to that standard.
Now would it be too much to ask for a product as nice as the yearbook, with the content quality of the end of year Prog... it would... oh well...
My two penn'orth on the annuals;
What with the now huge GN range (to say nothing of the Case Files alone), of the continuing goodwill of the 2012 film bringing droves of new/lapsed readers to Tharg's door, of the Mega Collection doing the same, of the consistently good write-ups on the big comic review sites, of the healthy online presence on FB/Tumblr/etc, of the latest push to make inroads in the US market actually seeming to be doing some good...
...it feels like a terrible time to dredge the annuals out of their grave. It's hard to think of anything that would quite so clearly announce that 2000AD is mainly about trading off past nostalgia among a dwindling clique of lapsed, aging readers. I mean, it isn't, but that's the message it would send. To be honest, even the Sci-Fi Special is a bit too geared towards nostalgia for my liking. Rather than 'Remember that thing you liked from the '70s? We've tried to recreate it for you.' I'd rather have, 'Remember that thing you liked from the '70s? It's still a going concern, and better than ever.'
I love the way the new Zenith hardcovers feel a bit like the old annuals. I'm with Dark Jimbo - they are a thing of the past. Go and buy Dark Justice or the film tie ins if you want a quality hardcover at a good price. No one can honestly be nostalgic for Daily Star reprints, jokey one-offs and pointless re-treds of old stories at a premium price. The weekly is so strong right now that we don't need to look back.
The end of year prog and two specials is more than enough for this particular squaxx. The special, the Meg and the last 3 progs have really brightened a pretty awful past 3 weeks for men Z
Yeah the annuals were always style over substance - who wants 30 pages of 'Phantom Patrol' and some filler word searches? We are blessed with the all original year end Progs and I for one am very grateful!
One of the few benefits of having my licence suspended is that I pass through town every day and I picked this beauty up in Forbidden Planet - anyone noticed how many toys they sell nowadays?
Despite planning to spin it out I read the lot in one sitting and enjoyed it thoroughly. How good was that Rogue Trooper art? Reboot!
Forbidden Planet the toyshop you mean? :) Happily the acres of toy figures don't quite get the attention the lovely paper comics do, but still more than you'd think...
Dark Jimbo and others put it well. I plugged my prog & meg hardback annuals gap a couple of years back. One of each. They suck serious thrills compared to what Rebellion produces these days, leave well alone.
Quote from: Anzati on 25 June, 2015, 02:24:53 PM
The end of year prog has filled the void that used to be occupied by a hardbacked annual...these days I would be upset that I have a nice year long run of the prog, all of which fit nicely into A4 wallets and a ring binder to keep neatly organised...and then comes along what is essentially a hardback version of the end of year prog, with some extra fluff, to ruin my nice organised collection... >:(
Sure I'd buy it...wouldn't have any choice there...but I wouldn't be happy about it :lol:
The annuals for 1985 and 1986 were classics (the reprint material didn't have to be taken from pre-2000AD IPC comics) there were odd highlights from most of the other annuals, but those cardboard covers take up half the space!
I dunno. Maybe there is a market for a large format, hardback reprint books to sit on the shelves around Xmas. A 'Best of 2000AD: THE 80s' kind of thing. All reprint, for the nostalgia stocking filler market. At the £7.99 price point they'd be cheaper than the standard collections and possibly attract the kind of shopper who doesn't have the time or inclination to wander over to Waterstonea graphic novel section and look for specifics, but may recognise from their youth.
What I'd like to see is a series of original hardback graphic novels, along the lines of Marvel's OGN range currently. Release them at the end of the year, sure, but they'd have an indefinite shelf life.
But, as with anything, I'm sure it's been suggested and that there's a damn good financial reason they haven't been done.
But yeah, a 64page Wagner/ Ezquerra original, a Mills/ Langley Slaine and an Abnett/ Elson Kingdom would certainly make my Xmas.
SBT
In my fevered brain, I was imagining something more along the lines of the year end prog with a few more pages, hard covers and a 15 quid-ish price tag, although I can appreciate that this would be somewhat redundant given the quality of the current xmas edition.
I just like the idea of having something specifically 2000 AD related to open on xmas morning.
There's usually a beautiful hardback on sale around xmas to do the job though. Daily Dredds last year, Trifecta the year before that and book 3 of the ABC Warriors Mek Files will be out just in time this year.
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 26 June, 2015, 06:48:12 AM
I dunno. Maybe there is a market for a large format, hardback reprint books to sit on the shelves around Xmas. A 'Best of 2000AD: THE 80s' kind of thing. All reprint, for the nostalgia stocking filler market. At the £7.99 price point they'd be cheaper than the standard collections and possibly attract the kind of shopper who doesn't have the time or inclination to wander over to Waterstonea graphic novel section and look for specifics, but may recognise from their youth.
I remember seeing a load of that type of thing in bookshops a couple of years back for a lot of girls magazines of the 80s in my head defo Jackie and Smash Hits - though my head is often best not trusted - don't know how well they sold but they were everywhere and I bought one for a friend of mine.
they already did a bumper "Best of 2000ad" hardback a few years back, but more in that format would be welcome. I agree that the annuals have had their day and Christmas nostalgia notwithstanding, the contents were often a bit poor.
(wish we had a search function so I could find Mike Carroll's fabulous advent calendar image of the annuals we never had)
Quote from: Dandontdare on 26 June, 2015, 11:19:10 AM
they already did a bumper "Best of 2000ad" hardback a few years back
Aye, and the fact that we still see it lingering on book shop shelves all these years later and there's never been another volume tells you all you need to know about how that licensed book went :/
:lol: well I bought one!
Quote from: Dandontdare on 26 June, 2015, 11:19:10 AM
they already did a bumper "Best of 2000ad" hardback a few years back, but more in that format would be welcome. I agree that the annuals have had their day and Christmas nostalgia notwithstanding, the contents were often a bit poor.
(wish we had a search function so I could find Mike Carroll's fabulous advent calendar image of the annuals we never had)
It's on his website (http://www.michaelowencarroll.com/cov-christmas2010.htm)
(http://www.michaelowencarroll.com/christmas2010.jpg)
Cover: Lovely, but it's Staples, so you'd expect nothing less.
Dredd: Fairly standard stuff, bit of a throwaway tale really, but enjoyable enough both in art and tale.
Robo Hunter: Nice to see Sam back, but he never really reads like the character of old nowadays. So while it was decent enough, still not close to the thrill levels of the old days.
Future Shocks: Sure I seen an almost identical one years back....maybe more that once, can't recall. Lovely art from Higgins, a welcome return.
Ace Trucking Co: While I always enjoyed it in the old days (I suspect more for art and lingo than actual plot!) felt a bit of a filler. Think it's s strip best left retired. ;)
Survival Geeks: Always a visual treat, and it's no different here. I know it's not for everyone, but I quite like it.
Rogue Trooper: Pick of the special for me. Even if Rogue ain't in it much, the art is great, and the script does feel like the old school rogue from the 300's.
Well done all involved. :D
Quote from: Molch-R on 24 June, 2015, 02:32:54 PM
Due to circumstances beyond our control (thanks a lot, Apple!) the Sci-Fi Special won't be available to purchase on the 2000 AD Newsstand app.
HOWEVER!
You CAN still get it on the app by logging in to the 2000 AD webshop with your Rebellion ID (the one linked to your app) and purchasing it there, then downloading it onto your app. Fiddly, but it'll do the job.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thanks, this worked fine. Bit curious as to why they did this though. I'll be scanning the pages for offending material as I read! :)
Quote from: DrJomster on 26 June, 2015, 10:59:56 PM
Quote from: Molch-R on 24 June, 2015, 02:32:54 PM
Due to circumstances beyond our control (thanks a lot, Apple!) the Sci-Fi Special won't be available to purchase on the 2000 AD Newsstand app.
HOWEVER!
You CAN still get it on the app by logging in to the 2000 AD webshop with your Rebellion ID (the one linked to your app) and purchasing it there, then downloading it onto your app. Fiddly, but it'll do the job.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thanks, this worked fine. Bit curious as to why they did this though. I'll be scanning the pages for offending material as I read! :)
Any prog that DOESN'T include something that an image-conscious American corporation may find offensive is a prog that I don't want to read.
Quote from: Dandontdare on 26 June, 2015, 11:09:00 PM
Any prog that DOESN'T include something that an image-conscious American corporation may find offensive is a prog that I don't want to read.
And so say all of us!
Cheers
Jim
Too right!
No sign of it in W H Smiths or Forbidden Planet in Brum yesterday, one of the Orgrons in FP said he thought they'd had some in earlier in the week but nowt to be seen.
Have ordered online, will be something to look forward too next week.
I got mine from Nostalgia
Quote from: Leigh S on 28 June, 2015, 10:27:54 PM
I got mine from Nostalgia
I didn't go as far down as Nostalgia...was a bit pushed for time as I was late into town. Glad they had them there, though.
:'( I cant get these from my normal newsies, I've missed the Winter and Summer Specials too can I get these from the store?
CU Radbacker
Quote from: DrJomster on 26 June, 2015, 10:59:56 PM
Thanks, this worked fine. Bit curious as to why they did this though. I'll be scanning the pages for offending material as I read! :)
Nowt to do with the contents - we're moving to a stand-alone 2000 AD app on iTunes for comics/GNs/specials, while the Newsstand app will just have the weekly Prog in it. This is due to changes in Apple's T&Cs regarding Newsstand apps. We'll announce more details this week, but don't worry - you'll be able to access all your existing purchases through the new app and we'll have more content coming promptly.
Radbacker: Four specials are still on sale on the 2000 AD Shop in digital and print form (http://shop.2000adonline.com/categories/specials).
Well I enjoyed it but Id have rather seen some more up to date content (kind of missing the point, I know).
A one off Kingdom or The Order would have been very welcome.
If we had to go old school, maybe a one off ABCs/Ro-Busters/Savage that ties in to the current continuity would have been good. And of course Strontium Dog is always welcome.
I realise this is all just pie in the sky and what we got was a solid, entertaining product, so no complaints really (Rogue Trooper and the Future Shock were the stand outs).
Was just about to go to sleep last night and opened this just to check it had downloaded, with every intention to keep it for lunchtime today. Before I knew it I'd read the whole thing and it was past my bedtime. Worth it though.
What a beautiful cover! A real classic.
Dredd: Great one-off, liked the premise, the art looked great and it had a nicely executed Dredd punchline on the end.
Robo Hunter/Ace Trucking Co.: Neither of these really clicked with me for some reason. Maybe it was the tiredness but I found Robo Hunter a bit manic (wasn't too sure what was going on at times) and Ace Trucking Co. was a nice enough little one-shot but didn't really grab me. Some good lines though.
Future Shocks: The art on this is really, really striking, loved it. I didn't guess the twist but it was one of those ones I kicked myself for not seeing because in retrospect it seemed obvious. I guess I wasn't reading it with my Future Shocks Hat on.
Survival Geeks: I find Survival Geeks really likable, it doesn't thrill my socks off but I do love how crisp the art looks, and the characters are well defined so I enjoy spending time with them. Lots of goodness in this episode.
Rogue Trooper: Probably the highlight for me, I love Rogue's universe so much that I get super pumped whenever something is set there - it's one of the reasons I get really excited about things like Jaegir and 86ers (that and the fact they're brilliant). This was a really good Rogue story and I got chills at times, it really tapped into everything that's cool about the character. Art was fab too.
As far as the annuals thing goes, I think the year end prog does the same job but infinitely better. One of the highlights of the year for me is sitting down with it and it's usually the thing that gets me feeling the festive spirit :) The quality of the annual stuff was very poor at times (most times/all the time), I even found reading the Dredd collections of bonus strips that came out a while back to be a real slog at times because there really wasn't much care taken over the art or writing. Felt disconnected from the prog in terms of tone and quality. Nice items to have in the collection, but I'm way happier with what we get nowadays, especially with these specials being back.
Quote from: JamesC on 01 July, 2015, 12:40:50 PM
, maybe a one off ABCs/Ro-Busters/Savage that ties in to the current continuity would have been good.
A one off? that's someone's entire future 2000 career right there!
got mine and the meg this morning,will peruse later with a glass of guiness Dublin porter but just flicking through it looks smashing.
Had this reserved in my LCS and got it this weekend. It's pretty good but like any special should be a bit hit and miss. Though the Dredd was solidly old school and very enjoyable for that. Robo Hunter didn't quite work for me, was okay, on both fronts. Hit then miss.
Thought the Future Shock was also a slice of old school gold. Simple twist, I didn't get and brilliant art, loved it. Ace Trucking, much like Robo Hunter, didn't quite make it on either front. It was very okay. This however was a big surprise as I normally very Nick Do year's art, but didn't work on Ace for me. Hit then miss.
The last two stories buck the trend... only in that Survival Geeks kinda grated as noral, but I really enjoyed Rogue Trooper, so miss then hit here.
As I say just like a Special should be, mixed bag and that felt right!
Bit of a delay in getting this out - but what an excellent special this was! Fantastic slice of retro-thrills with an excellent Future Shock on top!
http://www.popculturebandit.co.uk/2015/06/2000ad-sci-fi-special-2015.html (http://www.popculturebandit.co.uk/2015/06/2000ad-sci-fi-special-2015.html)
Top Thrill: Ace Trucking Co.
Agree on Ace Trucking Co., much the best thing in the Special (an improvement on last year's return). Really well handled, first time reading Ace for me since the prog. Brought back bog paper & Belardinelli, no blubberoni!
Didn't like Dredd. Think it lost me the second he said "Shut up, I know a real gunshot" and the way he just threw the Cit/victims papers on the floor after checking them in the first few panels. This was routine for Dredd, not like him to be nasty for the sake of being nasty. That's usually the sign of a bent judge. Followed by the 'shut up' he sounded like a teenager...
Loved Ace trucking and the meta-jokes, though struggled to follow the weird aliens at times as this is the first I've read of the Co.
Rogue was great!
Enjoy Survival Geeks the strip, found this a bit hard going though as it was somewhere between a recap and an actual story, without doing the latter well enough to distract from the former.
Future Shock my favourite not least for the art.
Robo Hunter was good! Normally not my cup of tea, find Samantha Slade more enjoyable than Sam (robot sidekicks are less goofy in that run it seemed). Hard to follow at first but simmered down toward the end and enjoyed the Irn Bro double-pun. It's got girders in it.